PLAYER RATINGS | Utrecht 0-1 Lyon: Tanner Tessmann screamer secures OL’s first three points in Europe | OneFootball

UEFA Europa League, Round 1, 25/09/2025

Lyon secured their first three points of their UEFA Europa League campaign against Utrecht (1-0) thanks to a stunning strike from second-half substitute Tanner Tessmann.

The match

Utrecht started the match much stronger than the Rhône club. The Eredivisie outfit created three chances inside the opening 10 minutes. Viergever should have given the hosts the lead, but put his effort wide despite being left unmarked following a flick on from a corner. Fofana would create OL’s first opening of the game as he found Karabec with a deep cross. However, the Czech attacking midfielder couldn’t find the target with his header.

After a dominant 20 minutes from the hosts, Lyon grew into the game. Šulc and Karabec threatened to create opportunities with balls into the area, but Satriano was unable to get on the end of their crosses.   Karabec thought he had given Lyon the lead after Fofana’s deflected shot fell to him and he dispatched his effort. Celebrations were soon halted though with the playmaker adjudged to be offside despite his protests.

Satriano found space in the Utrecht penalty area after showing great skill to cut inside, but he could only find the side netting as OL’s search for the opening goal continued. In the final minute of the first half, the Dutch side broke away through Murkin and he found El Karouani in advanced position, who failed to test Greif. The two teams could not be separated at the break.

Ruben Kluivert had a glorious opportunity at the far post from a corner following a smart header across goal from Niakhaté, but the Dutchman was denied by a brilliant save from Barkas. This would set a trend for the majority of the second half as Lyon began to grow into the game.

Rodrgiuez missed a header for Utrecht from a tight angle but should’ve done better to test Greif who managed to watch it go narrowly wide. Despite Lyon’s improved performance in the second half, the hosts still carried a threat. Straight after this missed opportunity, OL responded with the first goal of the match. Tessmann let fly from distance and the ball flew into the top corner leaving Barkas with no chance. The American international proved to be the difference maker from the bench.

Moreira almost doubled Lyon’s lead after a positive attacking move, but his effort was dealt with by the Utrecht stopper. The hosts continued to push for an equaliser in the final 15 minutes and Sebastien Haller went agonisngly close to converting at full stretch from a knock down but he couldn’t direct his effort on target, and Lyon managed to hang on.

Lyon player ratings:

Dominik Greif – 5

Ruben Kluivert – 5

Clinton Mata – 5

Moussa Niakhaté – 5

Nicolás Tagliafico – 7

The World Cup winner was the difference between the match remaining goalless and OL potentially finding themselves two goals down in the opening 20 minutes. He produced two vital interventions to prevent Utrecht from finding the back of the net in what was an unsteady start from the Ligue 1 club.

Tyler Morton – 6

Back in the starting lineup after serving a suspension, the Liverpool academy product was tasked with being the senior figure for Les Gones in midfield. Although the Englishman didn’t have a decisive influence in the final third, he offered a calming presence in midfield and helped De Carvalho settle into the match.

Mathys De Carvalho – 5

Pavel Šulc – 5

Adam Karabec – 5

Malick Fofana – 6

Martin Satriano – 5

GFFN | Liam Wraith